MLS and Premier League news, previews and analysis from the UK.

2015 MLS Preseason

As the 2015 season draws closer, we’ll have a new MLS 2015 Season Preview up everyday. Today we take a look at what the New York Red Bulls will be looking to achieve this season…

The New York Red Bulls endured a slightly frustrating campaign last season in the Eastern Conference but their playoff form was good and they must take positives into the new season after only narrowly missing out on a place in the MLS Cup final. It would appear difficult for fans to take positives into the new season at this point however after an offseason of major changes at the club. This could be a transitional season for the Red Bulls as Mike Petke has gone, a new manager is in and several key players have departed, none more important to the side than Thierry Henry, who hung up his boots at the end of the 2014 campaign.

The Red Bulls need to find a killer instinct in games, something which they lacked on occasions last season and they must concede fewer goals. To have had top scorer, Bradley Wright-Phillips in their side and only end the campaign with a +5 goal difference is proof of their inability to shut teams out. The Eastern Conference was closely contested last year with just nine points separating the New York Red Bulls in 4th and DC United at the top. With such fine margins and an even more competitive conference this season, they must perform at the highest level for every game.

The Eastern Conference is going to be fiercely competitive this year, with new teams New York City FC and Orlando City looking to raise a few eyebrows, while the New England Revolution look strong candidates to push all the way as they did last campaign. So it is essential that the Red Bulls get off to a strong start this season if they are to have any chance of making the playoffs. That will give supporters confidence, something that is crucial at this stage and new head coach Jesse Marsch will need the fans on his side if his team are to be successful.

Wright-Phillips is undoubtedly the key man for the Red Bulls and he has even more weight on his shoulders with the key departures of Henry and Cahill. He showed last season what a brilliant goalscorer he is and how he can be the difference in the side. It will be difficult for him to match last seasons total of 27 but he will be determined to try and beat that and continue where he left off. He has signed a Designated Player contract and his performances will be essential to how the Red Bulls get on this season. Without the extra threat of Henry, teams will set up to focus more attention on BWP as they know he will be the man to stop. The Englishman will certainly fight for his team and it will be interesting to see how he gets on after such a brilliant season last time out.

One to watch: Ronald Zubar – Defender

Ronald Zubar could well make the difference at the heart of the Red Bulls defence and with his vast experience of playing in top European competitions, his teammates can learn a lot from him. Zubar has nine Champions League appearances to his name and it will be intriguing to see how his Red Bull career will unfold. At 30 he still has a few years ahead of him and could play a crucial role in helping New York steady the ship.

The fact is that the Red Bulls look to have changed too much, too quickly. It will take time for Jesse Marsch to get his new ideas across to his players and the squad has changed dramatically too. Star striker Wright-Phillips is still there but without the support of Henry it will be a monumental challenge to build on his 27 goals in the regular season last year. A good start is crucial but it looks like the Red Bulls may have to settle for a year of transition before coming back stronger in 2016.

The lethal partnership contributed an astonishing 55 goals between them via goals scored and goals assisted in the 2014 regular season and it looks as though they mean business again in 2015.

“I was happy for Clint, happy for the goals that he got because as a goalscorer you always want to get your confidence there. Oba (Martins) will be back on the board as well sometime soon,” Schmid added.

Lamar Neagle and Kevin Parsemain also both helped themselves to two goals each on the night.

How important will Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins be for Seattle Sounders in 2015?

“He’s a fantastic player”, Rose told the Seattle Sounders YouTube channel. “Obviously you don’t play for the Mexican national team unless you have something special. The way he collects the ball, how quickly he plays, his fitness levels are incredible.”

The 24-year-old Australian only featured six times in the 2014 MLS regular season, which gave him plenty of time to study Pineda’s style of play and it’s helped him learn crucial elements of becoming a successful midfielder.

“He floats around, he’s very smart on the ball, he always knows what he’s going to do with it before he gets it, so these are things I think I’ve developed watching him and playing with him.”

Rose is also sure that a career in coaching is sat waiting for Pineda when he finally has to hang up his boots.

“He’s great with me, I think he’s going to go on and be a great coach just because he’s always talking to the youngsters and giving them little words of advice here and there, so obviously a great guy to learn from.”

Will Andy Rose step-up and become an important player for Seattle Sounders in 2015?

When speaking to the New York Red Bulls YouTube channel, Hamlett said, “I’m extremely excited to be here with the staff and working with Jesse. I think the last ten days has gone really well for us in terms of the guys working hard, adjusting to the demands that Jesse wants the team to play.”

“We have a good relationship, but at the same time I think when we get on the field, I understand the things that he wants to get accomplished with the group, so I feel that it’s a good balance of me knowing him, but more importantly just getting stuff done on the field.”

“Because I know him so well, I understand the things that he wants to get accomplished from our days of working together in Chicago, so a lot of the stuff we do is similar.”

“I think my experiences can help him get across the messages that he wants his team to play and look like, and just be there as a good resource, I think that’s important.”

Houston Dynamo selected midfielder Zach Steinberger as their eight pick during the MLS Soccer SuperDraft on January 15 and he’s since enjoyed the early stages of life as a professional soccer player.

He was previously the captain and lead scorer for the Michigan Bucks PDL team and then participated in the MLS combine on December 31.

The 22-year-old told Dynamo TV, “It’s a dream come true, I’ve been watching the MLS since I was a little kid. I had season tickets to the LA Galaxy when I was eight years old, so to come out here and play with guys who I’ve watched since that age like Brad Davis, DaMarcus Beasley, guys like that who I’ve looked up to for so long – it’s surreal still.

“I think it really kind of settled in for me when I took to the field for the first time, but it’s been a pretty amazing experience.”

Picture by: http://zachsteinberger.com/

DaMarcus Beasley in particular has helped Steinberger to feel at home during his first few training sessions and took him “under his wing.”

“The leadership in this team is second to none. The experience the guys have and the veterans taking the younger guys under their wing has definitely been prevalent throughout the entire week here.

“It’s a great team dynamic and the leadership is definitely not missing. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start my professional career.”